Hilton Named No. 1 Best Workplace in Latin America as Hospitality Growth Creates New Career Opportunities

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Hilton has been named the No. 1 Best Workplace in Latin America by Great Place to Work, reinforcing the hotel giant’s people-first strategy as rapid expansion across the region creates thousands of new jobs, career pathways and opportunities for the wider travel and tourism industry.

Hilton Strengthens Its Position as Latin America’s Leading Hospitality Workplace

Hilton has secured the No. 1 position in Great Place to Work’s ranking of the Best Workplaces in Latin America, marking a major milestone for the global hospitality company and extending four consecutive years in which it has been recognised as the region’s top workplace within the hospitality sector. The achievement reflects Hilton’s continued focus on employee development, inclusion and long-term career opportunities as travel and tourism demand supports hotel expansion across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The recognition comes as Hilton continues to invest heavily in the people responsible for delivering guest experiences across its growing network, with the company arguing that stronger teams and clearer career opportunities ultimately contribute to better service throughout the travel and tourism ecosystem. As hotels compete for skilled professionals in an increasingly dynamic global hospitality market, workplace culture is becoming a critical factor in attracting, retaining and developing the workforce needed to support future growth.

How Is Hilton’s Expansion Creating Jobs Across Latin America and the Caribbean?

Hilton’s regional growth is generating significant employment opportunities, with the company reporting that its team member population across Latin America and the Caribbean has increased by nearly 60% since 2021 while more than 11,000 people have been hired into the Hilton system annually on average during the past three years. The company now employs over 26,000 team members across 35 countries and operates more than 300 hotels, demonstrating the scale of its expanding presence in one of the world’s most important emerging hospitality markets.

A further development pipeline of more than 150 hotels and over 21,000 rooms is expected to create additional employment opportunities in the years ahead, linking hotel development directly with the wider growth of travel, tourism and destination economies. New properties require professionals across hotel operations, food and beverage, sales, technology, revenue management and guest services, meaning continued expansion could provide a substantial career engine for people entering or advancing within the tourism and hospitality sectors.

What Opportunities Does Hilton Offer Its Team Members?

Hilton has positioned career development as a central part of its workplace strategy, providing access to programmes including Fun & Growth, cross-training experiences, Hilton University and leadership development initiatives designed to help employees acquire new skills and progress through the organisation. The strategy supports the idea that hospitality careers should offer long-term professional mobility rather than simply individual jobs, particularly as international travel and tourism companies require employees with increasingly diverse operational and cultural experience.

Internal survey data from Hilton’s Latin American team members shows that 85% believe they can achieve their career goals with the company, while 88% say they have opportunities to continue learning and growing throughout their employment. Additionally, 93% describe Hilton as a great place to work and 94% say they are proud to work for the company, while nearly two-thirds of corporate and hotel leadership positions globally have been filled by internal candidates.

How Does Fun & Growth Support International Career Development?

One example of Hilton’s approach is its regional Fun & Growth programme, which enables team members to visit another Hilton property and participate in cross-training experiences while gaining exposure to different working environments and cultures. For the international travel and tourism industry, programmes of this kind can help employees build broader professional capabilities, strengthen cross-border networks and develop the cultural awareness increasingly required by global hospitality businesses.

The experience of Isac Thiago, a pastry team member from Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro, illustrates how the initiative can support both professional and personal development, as he travelled to Hilton Bogotá in Colombia and worked with experienced pastry professionals to expand his knowledge of laminated pastry techniques. The programme also gave him the opportunity to experience Colombian culture and build professional relationships, while the experience encouraged him to enrol in English classes after returning to Brazil to prepare for future opportunities across Hilton’s international network.

Hilton Extends Its People-First Strategy Beyond Its Hotels

Hilton’s commitment to creating opportunities also extends into communities through the Hilton Global Foundation, which works with organisations including the International Youth Foundation to connect young people with training, skills development, education and potential career opportunities. This wider approach is particularly significant for travel and tourism, as the industry depends on developing the next generation of hospitality professionals while ensuring that economic growth can create meaningful benefits for local communities.

The company also achieved the No. 1 Best Workplace ranking in Argentina, Colombia, Panama, Peru and Uruguay this year, adding to its wider record of workplace recognition and following its selection as the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune in 2025. These achievements suggest that Hilton’s investment in workplace culture has become an important component of its broader business strategy, supporting recruitment and retention while its hotel portfolio continues to expand across global travel and tourism markets.

What Does This Recognition Mean for the Future of Hospitality?

Hilton’s latest recognition demonstrates that hotel expansion alone is no longer enough to define success in a highly competitive hospitality industry, with investment in skills, internal mobility and employee experience becoming increasingly important to sustainable growth. As travel and tourism continue to create demand for new hotels, destinations and services, companies able to develop motivated and skilled workforces may be better positioned to deliver consistent guest experiences and build stronger long-term businesses.

“Hilton’s achievement as the No. 1 Best Workplace in Latin America is a powerful example of how investing in people can strengthen the entire hospitality ecosystem. As travel and tourism continue to expand across Latin America and the Caribbean, creating genuine opportunities for employees to learn, develop and progress will be essential for sustainable industry growth. Hilton’s expanding workforce, strong internal career pathways and commitment to communities show that business growth and human development can move forward together. This recognition celebrates not only a successful company culture, but also the people whose dedication continues to shape exceptional guest experiences across the region,” said Anup Kumar Keshan, Editor-in-Chief of Travel And Tour World.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Hilton named the No. 1 Best Workplace in Latin America?

Great Place to Work recognised Hilton for its workplace culture and team member experience, with the company’s investment in career development, inclusion, learning and professional growth contributing to its leading position.

How many people does Hilton employ in Latin America and the Caribbean?

Hilton employs more than 26,000 team members across 35 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting operations at more than 300 hotels across the region.

How many new Hilton hotels are planned for the region?

Hilton has a development pipeline of more than 150 hotels and over 21,000 rooms, which is expected to create further employment and career opportunities as new properties open.

How is Hilton supporting career development?

The company offers initiatives including Fun & Growth, cross-training opportunities, Hilton University and leadership development programmes designed to help team members learn new skills and advance their careers.

Why is workplace investment important for travel and tourism?

A skilled, motivated and well-supported workforce is essential for delivering quality guest experiences, while career development and employment opportunities can help the travel, tourism and hospitality industries grow more sustainably.